I walk the line...

Recently, it was brought to my attention that I have an ego about my training.

SURPRISE! Not the first time I have been told, and surely not the last.

This began an interesting thought process, one which urged me to explore the questions that arose from the mindset most professional athletes, successful business owners and entrepreneurs own: confidence in oneself and one's abilities.

But how do they convey their confidence without sounding cocky or having an ego?

How do they make the distinction clear to those around them? Especially if their relationships and/or success may rely on walking a fine line between confidence and cockiness?

Naturally, there can be some confusion, especially with someone who exudes confidence before those who might not understand why or where it comes from. Let's dig deeper - perhaps in the dictionary...

According to Merriam-Webster:

Confidence is 'a feeling or consciousness of one's powers or of reliance on one's circumstances'

Ego is 'the self especially as contrasted with another self or the world' (layman's terms: how you see yourself as compared to others in the world/your surroundings)

Cocky means 'boldly or brashly self-confident'

Hmm, maybe I have all three? Maybe athletes, businessmen and entrepreurs do as well?

DAMN RIGHT!

The quarterback who leads his team to a fourth-quarter comeback MUST have confidence in his ability as well as his teammates', who then put their egos aside to win the game together, without being too cocky and trying to do more than their position requires...but losing sight of their own job and the team's job as well...

The quarterback's confident mindset makes everyone on the team better. His attitude of being the best, or striving to be, the best quarterback he can be, leads him to train harder. This leads him to study more film. This leads him to throw more with his receivers. This leads his teammates to practice more...

The quarterback that goes in to practice without the mindset that he can be better than he was yesterday? Settling for less than his best, and his teammates do not feel an impact from his presence.

But wait, how does this apply to me again? Ah, another tangent...

My final point:

1) I think I am one of the best (if not the best) trainer(s) in New York City.

2) I study daily, from research articles, to programs, from the results other strength and conditioning coaches and trainers are achieving with new ideas, methods and books.

3) I program for each and every one of my clients, using scientific principles that utilize proven methods, based on their individual needs, goals and exercise history.

4) I hold my service to be of higher standards than others, and thereby provide a service that is unparralled in my attention to detail and results.

If it was not for point number (1), the chances of 2 - 4 happening would be slim, my retention rate would be low, and my career as a Strength Coach/Personal Trainer would be short-lived.

However...

I stepped foot in my high-school weight room when I was 12 years old, bench-pressed 65 pounds for 3 reps, considered myself weak, and told myself I would never again feel that way.

I stepped foot in a NYC gym in 2006, considered myself new and naive to the profession, yet determined to never again feel that way.

Years later, my bench press 3-RM stands at 315, and my service is close, if not up to, being the best Personal Training/Strength Coach service NYC has to offer...

...All because I walked the line between having the confidence to believe in my product and myself, swallowing my ego to allow myself to be open-minded to learning, and to avoid being cocky in my training style and programs.

And my results?

They speak louder than I ever can.

Coach Kev

The #1 Tip For Fitness Professionals?

Recently, after much thought and deliberation, I decided to shift gears from management to Personal Training. Although I will miss the 55 trainers at my last location, my learning and teaching others, including 3-4x more clients, is just beginning. This is where today's post comes in...

I was recently asked for the best tip, my best piece of advice, that anyone in the fitness world can use.

My first response? Silence. I was never asked that question before, so specifically towards fitness, yet so vague towards the audience at the same time. My old position required teaching anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, etc. And I could recite that information easily. This question started a thought process...

Then it hit me...I was teaching material from books. Almost like a school environment!

They never taught you this in school...

My #1 Tip for Fitness Professionals:

Be open minded. Do not only read what you know; do not know only what you read.

There are so many trainers, instructors and coaches in the field today who have specialties in one or two areas (marathons or kettlebell training, for example), and who apply their training style and experiences to all those they train.

However, this leads to a disconnect, especially to the clients' goals. From a managerial standpoint, I have seen this more often than not.

A carpenter uses the a different tool for every job, based on that specific job.

A Fitness Professional should use a different program for every client, based on that specific client.

Be open-minded as a Fitness Professional: with your training styles, the books and articles you read, with other trainers and coaches you associate yourself with, and I guarantee your knowledge and expertise (along with your earnings!) will increase.

Coach Kev

The unveiling...

So it has been awhile since my last post...Wanted to give an update of the last few weeks:

At the start of November, I sat down with 8 individuals and made specific programs, laying out a detailed road map for success. Their goals were the following: strength, size, fat loss, injury prevention (2nd degree AC joint sprain), olympic lifting movement power and speed, flexibility, endurance (2 triathaletes). Nothing but great feedback so far, including both likes and dislikes and changes they have made to their programs. Actual feedback examples:

1) Things you've noticed:

• I've definitely noticed a difference in my strength and I feel smaller in the waist
• Day 1 through 4 went great. I did hang snatches on day 3 and the felt great. I was getting under the bar better than I ever have and I cant wait till next time. Id also like to add some cardio stuff with the kettlebells somewhere in week 3.
• I definitely see a nice improvement aesthetically. BF definitely dropped a bit. Im going to add an extra meal each day and see how that goes
• I liked mixing up my workout and the one armed stuff-very hard but good. I also liked the upper lower split I think its good for me. I realized that I do not load properly for lower body, I need to go heavier but am not confident enough maybe in my lower lifts so I think it makes me not push myself like I should be.
• I definately feel increased metabolic and cardiovascular effects. Also I'm sure I am stronger.
• I like the upper/lower split. I'm terrible with cardio. I'm just hungry all the time. Takes a long time to recover. Did lower on Friday and its Monday night and still sore.

2) Things you'd change:

• For this next week I'd like to move around some exercises. Maybe emphasize the more endurance and corrective exercises since that is a goal if the cycle. Maybe even cut out some O lifts.
• I'm gonna do cold plunge after my lower body workouts for this week.
• Work harder on cardio days; I asked for a 3rd day and now I'm slacking.
• Definitely feel like my metabolism has increased and that I have lost a little size; I'm more hungry because of this so I need to make sure I control my diet.

THINGS COACH KEV HAS NOTICED:

1) Individuals are more aware of their body and program.

2) Increases in strength, endurance, core strength, size, aesthetic appeal...again, all happening after 2 weeks!

3) My own program has evolved in to a product so efficient, so ideal, that I have cut down the case-study group to only one more month of programming per person. Something so good, so true...cannot be offered at such a low-price (free!) for long.

What does that mean for me?

Starting in January of 2009, I will no longer be doing Fitness Consultations using the All-American Athlete Program complimentary. Instead, I will charge a fee, depending on the individual needs, the duration of the program cycle, the experience, and the consultation time needed to develop the tailored program.

Why would I pay for that? Can't I just continue with the program you gave me originally?

Absolutely. And Absolutely not.

Absolutely if you are okay with your body hitting a plateau. Absolutely not, since you will not get similar results as you would on the program, tailored for where your fitness levels are RIGHT now. The best program you will ever be on? The next one...ESPECIALLY since it is based on the principles found The All-American Athlete Program.

So how can I take advantage of this unbelievable offer?

Set up a one-on-one meeting with me before December 1st. Here I will sit down and outline with you: goals, modalities of training available, days available to train, weaknesses, strengths, injuries. In a nutshell? I will be PERSONALLY coaching you towards success in reaching your goals.

This program already has followers eating more and losing fat, lifting smarter and not harder, running faster but not longer, and learning more and more about themselves...I will let the results of these individuals and their programs speak for themselves.

Next blog will have excerpts from the E-Book...

In health and training,

Coach Kev

5 Things My Program Can Teach the New York Times

It's been a week since my last post, almost too long if you ask me. The topics running through my head of which to post are so many, at times it can be overwhelming. However, I decided to a summarize how different this program is, and to touch on an article I read in the New York Times.

Program First...
Last Thursday and Friday, I spent time designing 5 different programs for experienced trainees with 5 different goals (triathlete, olympic lifter, muscle hypertrophy, fat loss, injury prevention). Each program had minor similarities in the outline and thus their end goal, mentioned above; but what struck me as amazing was the flow of the workouts and their simplicity...each plan took roughly 45 -60 minutes to design. Talk about efficient!

In addition, the design was individualized (not like some 'experts'), the template was modified for the emphasis that individual needed, and tailored to their current fitness level(s). In addition, they will have the luxury of checking in with their Coach every 5-8 days (some athletes were placed on an 8-day plan - take that Crossfit!) to make sure they are progressing as planned. Then in 4-5 weeks, they look at their progress as it compares to their goals, and the pieces of the puzzle can shift to reflect those goals. Sound too good to be true?

It sort of is...

On to the New York Times article...

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/30/health/nutrition/30best.html?partner=permalink&exprod=permalink

The article, titled Clues to Help Explain The Frequency of Injuries, delved deeper in to the world of sports injuries, and in the case of three different athletes, why they occur. They interviewed biomechanics experts, human performance lab directors and Physical Therapists.

They interviewees pointed out some interesting tests of common athletic injuries, such as runners knee and tibial stress fractures, and how they can be spotted before the symptoms worsen. For example, they pointed out the biomechanical causes of these injuries, including hip drop in runners who have knee pain, and the implications the hip has upon the knee.

What I found startling though, is the absence of thought towards prevention and thinking outside the box. Let me explain:

In the above article, they pointed out 3 different athletes who all suffered injuries. Now, they do not go out and summarize their training regimen fully, but they definitely overlooked 7 different things that can be addressed with a proper training program. Hint hint...

1) Strength training was absent for all three individuals' programs. This is a must, especially for female runners in the development of bone density to learn how to absorb force (at minimum 2-3 times the force of their bodyweight, PER STRIDE). Too many female runners are held back because of a lack of strength, not endurance...

My program tackles this, head on.

2) Runners run. It's what they do. However, having runners' bodies lift, move, and function OUTSIDE of the sagital plane is taking advantage of what we truly are capable of doing within our own skin. Otherwise, running is almost a repetitive stress injury waiting to happen...

My program plans for this, including strength training workouts specifically for those in endurance athletics.

3) A Physical Therapist in the article points out how sometimes we may be genetically predisposed to injury, due to a weak link in our frames. Must have graduated at the top of her class. Seriously, we ALL have weak links, whether it is mild scoliosis, fallen arches, bulging discs, chronic pain, etc. FIXING those weak links by correcting the weak link with mobility, stability, strength or endurance is what makes the difference between repeating that injury over time.

My program? Includes mobility, stability, strength and endurance exercise. Theirs? Nope.

4) Another expert points out how different the stress placed upon the body is when increasing the mile pace from 9 minutes to 8 minutes. This can affect the shock absorption of muscles that might not be prepared for such forces. AGREED! However, the Dr. failed to mention what is responsibile for the production and development of speed. For instance, to increase your stride length by an inch (by increasing your mobility at your achilles complex and hips) over 26.2 miles, results in a faster marathon. Too many athletes just focus on the activity itself, instead of some of the skills needed to perform well.

My program? Exercises designed specifically for the individual and any issues and imbalances they might have.

5) Last but CERTAINLY not least, the New York Times looked for answers for those who exercise and suffer injuries. However, they failed to look at the most common fix for those who are suffering from sport or exercise injury: work SMARTER, not HARDER. There are way too many individuals thinking they need to increase their mileage to run faster, increase their cardio to lose more fat, or do more crunches in order to see their abs. But they miss the big picture and end up injured in the long run.

My program details how as little as 3 hours a week (less than 2% of your week) can make the most efficient and scientifically proven use of your time.

Until next time, stay tuned for more from the All-American Athlete Training Program.

-Coach Kev

This is NOT a program for readers of Self Magazine...

With the last post, I detailed some of the traits that the All American Athlete Training Program exhibited. A recent article in Self Magazine baited me in to furthering the discussion of how different this training program is from the mainstream. Let me explain:



In the article titled, Sculpt A-list arms fast, a 'trainer to the stars' (Tracey Anderson) details an arm workout that will not add bulk, but will get you buff'. Actually, Self Magazine called the article "This Month's Guarantee." Ms. Anderson continues, saying "Conventional moves won't deliver the sleek definition that most women want," and the only equipment you would need is a pair of 3-pound dumbbells.



"Don't go any heavier", she maintains, "Lighter weights and higher reps are key to chiseling your arms in a very sexy, detailed way."



Apparently, Ms. Anderson, you have NO understanding of physiology WHATSOEVER. You actually missed out on the following scientifically proven methods, including periodization, the overload principle, adaptation, supercompensation and umm, hello, how about lean body mass? That's actually just to name a few. AAA Training Program? Follows over 17 scientifically proven methods (Hollywood's trainers are NOT one of them).

In looking at the picture to the left, of the 'sleek and defined' Gwyneth Paltrow, I struggle to see a bicep, deltoid or tricep. In fact, she looks like her metabolism could use a boost with a program, perhaps one that stimulates her lean-body-mass?

In summary, here is This Month's Guarantee from the All American Athlete Training Program:

• This program is the real deal: a proven program that follows scientifically proven methods, an experienced, certified trainer who has learnd from the programs of his 100's of clients in the last 12 years. In addition, this program has the guts to stand up to the media and the misleading messages they continue to send to an confused, obese (66%) population.
• Those looking to have that 'sleek definition'? Look no further. Now you can have it, in a package that has form, function and performance.

Until next time...

Coach Kev